- Renee Bourgeois Parsons '96

This month's Volunteer Spotlight focuses on our Mr. November, David V. Evans '64. Evans is currently a member of the Executive Council of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. He is also serving on the Steering Committee of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools and the Executive Committee of the Pell Institute, both headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Evans is entering his third year as class fund director for 1964, and he says he's enjoying every minute of it. This fall, members of the '63-'64-'65 cluster met to plan their 45th Reunion, and Evans graciously sat down with me to chat.

Members of the Pioneer Fund staff invited Evans to be the new CFD when the previous volunteer stepped down. Concerned about the big time commitment, he hesitated, but in the end he decided to fill the position.

It was a good decision, Evans says. He enjoys the work and says that being CFD has strengthened his commitment to the College. It also has given him impetus to reconnect with classmates he hadn't spoken to in more than 40 years. After he had agreed to be class fund director, Evans learned he would also have a hand in planning Reunion. He says the class committees are planning low-key events for the 45th Reunion; their goal is to help classmates reconnect with each other rather than on outside programming.

Evans believes his Grinnell education has amplified his interest in government and public service. It also showed him that he could make a difference by taking an active role in public affairs. Evans is sharing this philosophy with current students by helping them find internships on Capitol Hill.

This past summer, Evans recommended Jordan Levine '10 for such an internship. Evans feels that two major benefits came out of this. First, Jordan had an experience he might otherwise have missed; and second, Jordan did such an impressive job, Evans's future recommendations will carry more weight.

Evans is also currently a Grinnell great-uncle. His grand-nephew Andrew Howard '12 began his first year at Grinnell this fall. Evans had helped Howard with his college search and suggested he visit Grinnell. When Evans asked Howard what he thought, his response was, "There was color everywhere." Evans resisted the urge to apply a little pressure, and after Howard's second visit, there was no need. There was no other choice for him. Evans is very proud of Howard and considers him his legacy.

I also asked Evans if there were any new connections he had formed at the College that surprised him. His answer, in fact, surprised me. Part of Evans's deeper commitment to Grinnell actually comes from the College's commitment to the Posse Foundation. He feels that private liberal arts colleges run the risk of becoming so elite they could miss the diversity of the nation; he's impressed by Grinnell's efforts to buck that trend, including the College's involvement with Posse. He's met with some of the Posse students and has come to appreciate that their time in Grinnell is not a "sure thing" and that it can be difficult to adjust to a culture very different from the one they are used to at home. Evans finds a beauty in the commitment the students show to each other and to Grinnell, and the reflexive commitment Grinnell gives back to them. Evans doesn't have a single fondest memory of Grinnell. He says that he simply has the indelible memory of how special Grinnell is. He was lucky enough to realize it as a student - the feeling has only gotten stronger in the last 45 years.

His final words: Grinnell is "just a very special place."

July 2009 Honoree: Michael Schaffer '70
May 2009 Honoree: Ron Lavender '50
March 2009 Honorees: Carl Adkins '59 and Catherine Foster Alter '60
January 2009 Honoree: Ruth Koehler Bergerson '66
November 2008 Honoree: David V. Evans '64
September 2008 Honoree: Samantha Massingale Gerth '91
July 2008 Honoree: Audrey "Bunny" Howard Swanson '43
May 2008 Honoree: Emily Westergaard '02
March 2008 Honoree: David Rosenbaum '78
January 2008 Honoree: Beverly Burd Stubbee '48